This oven-baked rice recipe will forever be your go-to! It's so EASY and completely fool-proof. Get ready for perfectly cooked rice every. single. time.

Oven-baked rice in a wooden spoon from Shelf Cooking.

Tired of cooking rice that just doesn't ever seem to come out right? This oven-baked rice recipe is for you! Once you try this incredible oven-baked rice recipe, you'll never cook rice any other way.

*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Have you ever baked rice on the stovetop to find that some of it cooked to perfection while other grains were still a little… well, crunchy? Say goodbye to crunchy rice forever with this oven-baked rice recipe! It's guaranteed to have everyone reaching for seconds.

With only three ingredients, this easy oven-baked rice recipe cooks up like a dream and costs only pennies per serving! Whip it up for a filling side dish tonight or batch cook it and freeze for later. Now, grab that bag of rice and let's get cooking!

Jump to Recipe

WHY BAKE RICE IN THE OVEN?

Rice grains in a jar on a wooden table from Shelf Cooking.

Whoever thought to bake rice in the oven deserves a medal because this cooking hack is GENIUS. Baking rice in the oven allows the heat to evenly distribute across the rice, resulting in perfectly fluffy rice every single time! Plus, it's easy peasy. You can pop that baby in the oven and walk away until it's done.

HOW TO FREEZE RICE

Oven-baked rice freezes like a DREAM, which is why it's such a great dish to batch cook and meal prep with! Freeze cooked rice in meal-sized portions in freezer-safe ziplock baggies and have rice ready to go at a moment's notice.

Not quite sure what to do with the leftover rice? Reheat for an easy side dish or toss it in a pot of soup! There are tons of ways to reuse leftover rice—get creative!

Be sure to check out our post on how to prevent freezer burn, too, and don't let a single grain go to waste!

OVEN-BAKED RICE MIX-INS

Oven-baked rice on a white plate with vegetables mixed in from Shelf Cooking.

Want something a bit more flavorful for a fancy side dish? Swap the water for beef broth and toss in a can of French onion soup. This version is worthy to sit alongside a delicious Easter ham or this amazing French onion chicken! Try out these other mix-ins, too!

Mix it up to fit the flavor profile of the meal!

HOW TO MODIFY WITH BROWN RICE

Craving brown rice instead of white? With a bit of modification, this recipe is great for brown rice, too! Throw it in the oven and let it do the work for you.

  • Use 1 ½ cup brown rice, 2 ½ cups boiling water, and the same amounts of butter and salt in the recipe card below.
  • Bake for an hour at the same temperature or until all liquid is gone and rice is soft.

This method is way easier than having to constantly stir your brown rice for what seems like forever on the stove. It keeps it from sticking together, too!

EASY OVEN-BAKED RICE RECIPE

Embrace this cheap pantry staple and elevate it to a new level with this oven-baked rice recipe. Trust us, you'll NEVER cook it on the stovetop again!

Oven-baked rice in a wooden spoon from Shelf Cooking.

Oven-Baked Rice

This oven-baked rice recipe is so easy, filling, and CHEAP. It's a perfect shelf cooking go-to!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup white rice
  • 1-2 Tbsp melted butter or oil
  • 1 ¾ cup boiling water
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Pour rice into an 8×8 baking dish.
  • Pour melted butter or oil over rice and stir.
  • Pour boiling water over rice, sprinkle salt, and mix until combined.
  • Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed and rice is soft.
  • Fluff with a fork and serve!

Notes

This works for brown rice, too! You can easily modify the recipe.
  • Use 1 ½ cup brown rice, 2 ½ cups boiling water, and the same amounts of butter and salt.
  • Bake for an hour at the same temperature or until all liquid is gone and rice is soft.
Keyword easy, quick, rice bowl, white rice

And voila! The BEST and EASIEST way to cook perfect, fluffy rice every time.

This oven-baked rice recipe will change your rice game forever. Cheap, easy, and tasty… it's a win all around! Now, run and go add this deliciousness to you meal plan!!

Do you have a favorite rice recipe? Share it in the comments below!

Oven-baked rice in a serving spoon, from Shelf Cooking

Want more awesome recipes and kitchen hacks? Check out these posts!

Have a rice day! 😉